A Hanging at Dawn

Bess Crawford #11.5

by Charles Todd

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Bess Crawford mystery series, a short story that unravels dark secrets from her close friend Simon Brandon’s past.

Years before the Great War summoned Bess Crawford to serve as a battlefield nurse, the indomitable heroine spent her childhood in India under the watchful eye of her friend and confidant, the young soldier Simon Brandon. The two formed an inseparable bond on the dangerous Northwest Frontier where her father’s Regiment held the Khyber Pass against all intruders. It was Simon who taught Bess to ride and shoot, escorted her to the bazaars and the Maharani’s Palace, and did his best to keep her out of trouble, after the Crawford family took an interest in the tall, angry boy with a mysterious past.

But the Crawfords have long guarded secrets for Simon and he owes them a debt that runs deeper than Bess could ever know. Told through the eyes of Melinda, Richard, Clarissa, and Bess, A Hanging at Dawn pieces together a mystery at the center of Bess’s family that will irrevocably change the course of her future. 

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, India, Audiobook

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Charles Todd was the pen name used by the mother-and-son writing team, Caroline Todd and Charles Todd. Now, Charles writes the Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford Series. Charles Todd ha spublished three standalone mystery novels and many short stories.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! It was great finally getting the background story behind Simon Brandon's early relationship with the Crawford's and how it came about. Excellent descriptions of the historical framework with the political setting of the colonial British and Indian détente of the time.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great place to start the series!

A political mystery set in 1900 India. At this time a place of flux, with various kingdoms vieing to retain what autonomy they have, and unease at all levels of society, from the streets to the zenana.
I had never read a Bess Crawford mystery and this introduction already has me marking down books to read. Todd states you needn't be a fan to read the prequel, and let me just add that after reading this, if you're like me, you'll definitely be a fan!
I love the character of the woman behind the beginning of the story, Melinda Crawford, the well connected widow of a British army officer, who sees a young man in pain and decides to do all she can to assist him. She arranges an alternative path for young Simon Brandon in India where he excels at his now chosen path, until accused of murder when in charge of the Indian Princess Parvati's protection detail. That's also where we see more of the political tensions between the British and the Indians. What I enjoyed was the forceful and competent workings of Mrs Richard Crawford, wife to the Colonel in charge, Bess' mother, and Bess as a child as they seek to change the outcome for Simon. I was struck by the women in the story who, in many cases quietly and determinedly, use their positions and abilities to assist matters to satisfactory outcomes.
A satisfying read for someone like me who really loves historical fiction and mysteries set in India.

A William Morrow and Custom House ARC via NetGalley

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable prequel that allows us to see Simon Brandon in his youth up to his relationship with the Crawfords and how that all came about. Circumstances in India hold center stage for much of the action as Simon is falsely accused. It is a compelling story, well written and much appreciated by any fan of this series. In fact, I find myself to be in a very good mood after reading this novella!
I think there are other novellas that I may pick up now that I was not aware of (unless I already ready them)..The Piper and The Maharani's Pearls.
Additional Note: I just had to edit this review to add how much I appreciated the strong role Clarissa (Bess Crawford's mother) played in this story. She knew how to put up a fight in India where it may not have been well regarded.

Kindle Purchase

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "tell all" short story about Simon Brandon. I'm a fan of the Charles Todd books, especially the Ian Rutledge series but I've read most of the Bess Crawford books so I knew exactly who Simon was and what a major role he has played in some of the series offerings. And Simon has always been a favorite character whose history was hard to get hold of. This short story gave me all I could want regarding Simon as a young boy and during his service in the military.

The major incident happening in this story is very well written and well plotted just as I have come to expect from one of my favorite writing teams. Simon is serving in India during the time Bess and her family are there so the strong commitment to that family is fully explained for the role Simon will play in the adventures Bess finds herself in later. This is the perfect way to get to know the details about Simon which aren't usually disclosed in the Bess Crawford books. Quite enjoyable and recommended whether you are already a fan or not.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Bess Crawford fans want to know more about Simon Brandon, close friend of the family. This novella unfolds his early life and explains his intimate connection with Bess’ parents, who consider him a sort of son, and with Bess, who once saw him as a brother and now, maybe more. So many avid Bess readers want them to marry; now that his mysterious past has been uncovered, will they? The next book in the series, An Irish Hostage set for release next summer, can’t come soon enough!

[thefourthvine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope, nope, nope, nope. This book is a disaster on every level. I don't even know where to begin, so I'm going to take this in order of first appearance.

The book starts with Melinda Crawford's narrative. (Tip for the authors: If you can only write in one voice, don't have four different people do first-person narratives in one book.) In it, she admires the looks and physique of Simon Brandon, a fourteen-year-old boy, comparing him to her deceased husband, and arranges for him to go off to an active combat zone as part of the Army. (Tip for the authors: If you need the readers to know a character is hot, FIND A BETTER WAY. I am younger than Melinda is in this story, and when I look at a fourteen year old, I don't think, "Oooh, hot." I think, "Oh, child. It does get better." Bonus tip for the authors: It is not actually the action of a good person to put a fourteen year old in harm's way because it is what he wants. There are reasons children aren't allowed to make those decisions.)

Then the scene switches to India, where we are treated to narratives from Richard, Clarissa, and Bess. Mind the chapter headings; they're the only clue you'll get about who is speaking. Richard tells us all about young Simon Brandon is and how he and his wife are raising him and look on him as a sort of replacement for their dead son. (Tip for the authors: If you're going to try to pair up Simon and Bess at the end of this, be aware that writing romance between two people who were raised together and who treat each other as siblings is pseudocest. Like, if you want to write that, okay, but I expect you to own it.)

And then comes the mystery and the real horror. The plot, such as it is, involves a false charge laid against Brandon, and the entire thing is both "yay, colonialism!" and super racist. (Tip for the authors: If you have a white British woman threaten the destruction of a culture because she's pissed off, that isn't going to make me clap my hands for her. It's going to make me hate her. And I do. Bonus tip: Probably better to avoid that "these emotional Indians, gosh, they are so wrong and mean, but fortunately the whites are there to be forces of Justice and Goodness!" thing. Like. Very much better not, folks.)

I regret reading this, and will now nope out of the rest of this series.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable! Anything about the elusive Simon Brandon and funny enough, I think he is still elusive in my mind. This short story didn't take away from his mysteriousness.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first in the Bess Crawford series (I 've read about a dozen of the Rutledge books, good to very good). And relativity strikes! I just read the stupendous "Raj Quartet" by Paul Scott and "Hanging" deals basically with the same issues (English colonialism in India and a crime). Scott does it so right and so massive in scope he renders Todd's story rather light, even frivolous. And the end? Everything sorta stops. Todd tries to convince us there is an arc for the central character, Simon Brandon, by telling us he became different. Well, maybe in the series. Thus, this is for fans of the series only, imo. However, to Todd's writing team credit, they keep the story to 159 pages, as they realize what they are telling isn't much. So, for the avoidance of word-count porn, I give them a second star.

[Truitt_T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I put off reading this for so long? Actually, I know why - COVID and other assorted stressors pushed my reading toward light and easy, almost exclusively. At any rate, I’m glad I finally picked this one up.

A Hanging at Dawn is listed as book 11.5 in the series, although the events all take place some years before the first Bess Crawford novel. It could certainly be read as a stand alone or as an introduction to the series, but I think that would be a mistake. It would be better, I believe, to have read the series through to this point, wondering about Simon’s backstory, and then having the pleasure of more being revealed. It was lovely to hear from Miranda, Richard, and Clarissa in their own voices and I enjoyed the India setting for most of the story. And, of course, a young Bess has her moment to shine.

Now I can’t wait to read the next Bess book.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

For those of us who are long-time fans of the Bess Crawford series (beginning with A Duty to the Dead), this story serves as an “origin story” for one of the series’ favorite characters, Sergeant-Major Simon Brandon. Through the course of the series, which details Bess Crawford’s service as a battlefield nurse in World War I as well as her outings as an amateur detective both at the front and back home, Brandon has been a familiar if more frequently talked about than seen character.

Brandon has often been the person to get Bess out of trouble that turns out to be too deep for her. Alternatively, he has just as often been the person getting her into that trouble by helping her to ferret out information that she shouldn’t have in pursuit of her unofficial cases.

But Brandon has also been a bit of an enigma throughout the series. From hints that are dropped within the series, while Brandon is older than Bess, it’s clear that he isn’t quite as much older as his rank and time in uniform would indicate. He’s been a part of Bess’ life as well as the life of her parents and her father’s regiment for much longer than he should have been.

This short story dives a bit into those mysteries. We still don’t know exactly who Simon’s people are by the end, but we do know how and why he managed to get into the Army at 14 and serve in India in the years before the Great War, as well as more than a bit about why he’s so attached to the Crawfords.

While this story does go into as much of Brandon’s background as has ever been shared, the heart of this story is a singular incident in India with dramatic repercussions for Brandon, for the Crawfords, and for everything that comes after.

Because that “hanging at dawn” of the title was very nearly Brandon’s. And for once, but certainly not the last time, he was saved from death by Bess Crawford, even though in this particular case she was over 4,000 miles away.

Escape Rating A-: For readers of the series, this story is fascinating and provides more than a bit of much needed background for the character. And we also get to understand why Brandon has been so reticent about the few details that we have had so far.

And I’ll confess that I wonder why anyone who is not already a fan of the series would be reading this story. Not that it’s not good, because it is, but because it’s not enough. It teases and and it torments, and it feels like it’s written with the assumption that most readers will already be familiar with the characters and find this bit of backstory fascinating – as I certainly did.

One of the things that gets more-or-less nailed down is the origin of the relationship between Brandon and the Crawford family, and it does answer a question that has been in the back of my mind from fairly early on. I’ve always wondered about the age difference between Bess and Brandon, because there’s always been a bit of romantic tension about their relationship. The answer seems to be “under a decade” making them well outside squicky territory for any possible romance after the war ends – not that any such ending has ever been hinted at by the author.

But still, one can hope.

In addition to the illumination about just how Brandon came to be part of the Crawfords, there is also a mystery, the mystery that nearly results in that hanging at dawn. I found myself of two minds about the whole thing.

On the one hand, readers of the series already know Simon Brandon as one of the “good guys”. That means we are predisposed to believe that he is innocent of the crime he’s accused of, making the Prince’s – or at least his representative’s – rush to judgment and execution seem immediately dodgy in the extreme – at best – and villainous at worst.

Very much on that other hand, it’s made very clear that the British Raj had subjugated the traditional ruling class in India and taken away nearly all of their traditional rights. And that, as a consequence, there have to have been entirely too many cases where a British soldier would have been whisked away by British authorities in order to avoid justice that was absolutely due for committing crimes against anyone Indian, including members of those same Princely Houses. Not that members of those Princely Houses didn’t also most likely get away with crimes against those they considered their inferiors back when they held all the power. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and that’s one of the ways it inevitably corrupts.

But as this story goes, we’re meant to be on Simon’s side from the very beginning, therefore there must be something dodgy about the accusation or at least the rush to judgement. But it feels impossible not to acknowledge that the Prince could have been trying to prevent a miscarriage of justice, even though he imposes that desire on the wrong party in this particular instance.

And even though, or perhaps especially because, in this particular case it’s the threat of the power of the Raj that brings justice for Simon, it’s also true that the same threat would have worked just as well if he’d been guilty. The only difference is that if he had been guilty the Crawfords would never have raised the threat in the first place.

So, an interesting case, a moral conundrum, and oodles of background information for a beloved character. A lot to pack in a relatively short story – but excellently done. And just enough to make my anticipation for the next Bess Crawford novel, An Irish Hostage, feel all that much keener.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️

A short story in the Bess Crawford series, this traces her childhood spent in India with her father’s regiment. But more importantly we learn more backstory of the mysterious Simon Brandon, her longtime friend. We see what shaped him from an angry young teenager escaping his family life for the military to a loved and trusted “family member” of the Crawfords.

This follows a harrowing episode in which he is accused of crimes he did not commit and sentenced to die.

I found this story poignant and enlightening (albeit too short 😊) and was very glad to have a front row seat in viewing how the tight friendship bonds were originally forged. Well done.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. I'm a fan of both the Bess Crawford and the Ian Rutledge WWI mysteries that Charles Todd writes . . . this is a novella that is set c. 1905-1910 in India, where Bess's father was serving and where Simon Brandon, a member of her father's regiment, becomes almost a part of the family. Simon is an important minor character in the Bess Crawford mysteries but here he's the star character, with the story told by 4 narrators, the last one being Bess herself.

Nice to have a straight-forward, short (131 pages) story with familiar characters as a break from some long & complicated books that I have been reading lately. Especially enjoyed the part told by Clarissa, Bess's mother.

[Kresha Warnock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy this series but this prequel wasn't the best.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for Bess Crawford fans.

Charles Todd recently released novella features Bess Crawford as a young girl in India, where she’s accompanied her parents, Colonel Richard and his wife Clarissa during their military years. We also meet Simon Brandon as a young man who rises through he enlisted ranks to Sergeant Major, watches over Bess, and gets himself into trouble. We also meet Richard’s cousin Melissa who took an interest in protecting Brandon and steering him Richard’s way.

It’s a wonderful mystery that provides the back story that sets the stage for Bess’ career as a nurse during WWI and Simon’s military service under and devotion to Colonel Richard Crawford.

While this one is a mystery, it’s steeped in the history of the British military in NW India on the Afghanistan border in the years after the Great Sepoy Rebellion. You get a good feel for military life in India.

If only there were pictures of the scenery, the clothing, and the beautiful palaces. I’d love a few spin-off mysteries set during Crawford’s posting in India.

The novella includes a sneak peak at the next Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery “A Fatal Lie” due out Feb 2021.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charles Todd is (are) one of my favorite mystery authors- especially the Rutledge series. They are well written, atmospheric, with depth of character. I have also read all of the Bess Crawford books and like many readers have been engaged with the character of Simon Branden and mused about his loyalty to the Crawford family and his relationship with Bess. When i read that there was a short novel focused on Simon's backstory i looked forward to the same quality of writing revealing his background. Maybe because i rate these books so highly i was disappointed in this one. Yes we learned about Simon's background, but by being told rather than by being shown, which is a strong point of the full novels.
i actually learned more about Melinda and Mrs. Crawford than about Simon and would have preferred that he be the protagonist of his own story.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read the Bess Crawford series, this novella about her friend Simon Brandon is a good place to start- it's a prequel of sorts. If you have read the series, then you will be pleased to learn more about Simon, who has always been an enigma. Set on the Northwest Frontier of India, it presents Simon as a young man and Bess as a girl. Simon, who might have been a fractious youth, is accused of a crime and sentenced to die but, as will be obvious, he does not. He does become a protector for the Crawford family. It's told from several points of view, which could have been tricky with so short a story, but it works. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. A good read that left me looking forward to the next full length book.

[Vickie Denney · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all Charles Todd books this was beautifully written; however, I did not realize it was a short story. I must have been so excited to see a new book by them that I didn't pay close attention. Nonetheless it was an excellent story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel to the Bess Crawford stories provides a lot of insight into the major characters and about the relationship of Simon to the family. Short and very worthwhile reading for Bess’s fans.

[SFrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fills in so much history about Simon Brandon . This is a must read for those who have been reading Charles Todd's Bess Crawford mysteries.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I do enjoy the story line of both Charles Todd's series, they need an editor who really reads the book. There are just awkward turns of phrase, odd use of language...in every book.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backstory about Simon Brandon when the family was based in India (pre WWI). I was going to rate it 3 stars, but then started picking it back up to re-read sections so obviously it made more of an impression than most of my 3 star ratings.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief preamble to what was to become a favourite series of mine, learning how the characters originally became acquainted, and why.
At 130 pages it was a very quick read.

[Denise K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just deeply okay.
The stakes weren't really there, because WE knew Simon wouldn't be hanged and maybe I was just nitpicky but some things seemed a bit conviniend.

There was nothing wrong with the book, I just didn't connect with it.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a favorite series of mine. This read was a novella that explored the early life of one of the main characters in the series, Simon Brandon. Enjoyable read!

[Jessica Reisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short story! Fun to hear Bess’s parents take on Simon Brandon and his beginning. I did not see who actually committed the crime!

[Ruth Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed finding out Simon’s background and how he fit in with the Crawfords.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other readers I know, I never used to like short stories, but I've learned to appreciate them in the past few years-- especially when they can illuminate the backstory of characters in long-running favorite series of mine. Not all story ideas are worth a full-length novel, but that doesn't mean they're not worth writing. Such is the case with Charles Todd's short story, A Hanging at Dawn.

A Hanging at Dawn is all about the mysterious Simon Brandon, Colonel Crawford's right-hand man, and Bess Crawford's savior in Todd's series featuring a nurse during World War I. The story is told through the older Crawfords (Aunt Melissa, Colonel Crawford, and the colonel's wife, Clarissa) as well as Bess herself, and I certainly enjoyed learning more about these characters.

Most of all, I really appreciated learning more about Simon Brandon himself through incidents that occurred during his and the Crawfords' time in India. What I found absolutely amazing is that the writing team of Charles Todd made this tale so suspenseful that I was worried about the outcome-- even though I'm an avid reader of the Bess Crawford series and know he survives! I don't know about you, but I consider that to be the mark of some excellent writing.

If you're a fan of the Bess Crawford historical mystery series as am I, I don't think you should pass up the opportunity to learn more about Simon Brandon and the other more mature characters who've stayed in the background. It's going to add to your appreciation of the series. If you haven't read any of the Bess Crawford mysteries, you'll probably find A Hanging at Dawn to be a fine tale about the British in India; you just won't be as invested in the characters. But who knows? You may find yourself wanting to know more about them, and you'll know right where to go. (The first book in the series is A Duty to the Dead.)

[Jennifer Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm slowly making my way through all of the Charles Todd books, not in sequence and woven in between reading other types of fiction. These are my comfort stories - reliable, satisfying, predictable in that I've come to know the characters and the world.

A Hanging at Dawn takes us back to the formative years of Simon, a key but somewhat shadowy character in Bess Crawford's life. The book brings him out of the shadows, adding more pieces to the ever-growing puzzle of this time, setting and Bess's adventures.

But now I want more about Simon in any new Bess stories and I hope the authors will deliver!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enthralling and engrossing short story prequel that begins with the introduction of Simon to the Crawford family. The authors weave an intricately plotted story in the second person from the view points of the other major characters in the Bess Crawford books. There is action, personal relationships, murder, suspense, treachery and political history - quite a feat for a short story but it is accomplished well and is exquisite in the telling. I loved that we learned more about Simon and how he became such an integral part of Bess's family - first as a soldier, then as almost a son and brother and then I hope what will ultimately become a romantic life partner for Bess. Although this book is not necessary to the rest of the series, it gives us some additional background on all of the characters (especially Simon) in the novels and is a wonderful addition to the series! As a bonus the book includes two chapters from the next upcoming Inspector Rutledge novel - an exciting teaser.

[Minnesinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I completely disagree with other reviewers—this is a crumb, nowhere near a “feast”. Much of what is said regarding Simon’s time in the Northwest/North West Frontier of India. you will already know from other books in the Bess Crawford series, e.g., his minding Bess when she was a young girl. Yes, there is some new material, an insight into his upbringing, but it’s so brief it’s ridiculous. Simon is such an important character in the series that he deserves better than this dashed-off mash-up of others’ recollections.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Publishing this as a separate entity was clearly a decision based on greed, and I resent it on behalf of all readers everywhere. Shame on both the publisher and the authors.